Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1887-09-23
AUGUSTA COUNTY SUNDAY
SCHOOL UNION,

ITS FOURTH ANNUAL sEssloN-THE OIL
STONE CHURCH AND ITS HISTORY =
ORGANIZATION OF THE UNION-IT
oFFICERs-ToPICs DIsCU ssED.
&C., &C., &C.
Reported for the Stanton VINDICAToR. 1
About eight miles Northeast from
Staunton, in a venerable grove of oaks
overlooking the Valley Turnpike, stand:
picturesque stone building, with its hall
hidden gables known as the ''Augusta
Church." History tells US that this
church was finished and dedicated to pub
lie worship in the year 1749. Within its
sacred precincts one is tempted to pause
and reflect how many forms, now gone to
decay, have in all these passing years sat
here in reverent attitude; how many heads
once bowed here in prayer have laid them
down to their final rest; how many sweet
voices once lifted here in praise are hushed
and silent forever. Many years previous
to the erection of the present building,
the location was occupied by log church
: around which was thrown up an earth
work known as Fort Defiance" the line
i OF which, with its Fashioned corners, may
| yet be traced. Within this fort the sturdy
Scotch-Irish settlers Of this part of the
Valley were won't to assemble for worship
bringing with them their trusty rifles to
repel the attacks of their murderous foes,
| the Indians. and thus obeying the injunc-
tion, "Watch while you pray, pray while
you watch" Their descendants, from
generation to generation, have kept bright
on this ancient altar the fire of devotion
and religious worship. And it was here
that, according to previous appointment,
was assembled. on Thursday, the 18th of
| September, The Augusta County Sunday
| School Union, in its Fourth Annual Con-
vention.
The church and congregation, and the
community around, have always been
Presbyterian in the profession of their
faith and doctrine; but as the name indi-
Gates, the convention is composed of all
denominations.
The convention was called to order by
the President, VIM. E. SHELTON, about
10. 80 A. M.
Rev. Geo. l.. Bitter, who had been ap-
| pointed to deliver the address of welcome,
being unwell, and for that reason unable
to discharge that duty. the convention
was welcomed in a few appropriate words
by VIM. IL. Norman, an elder Of the
church. President SHELTON responded, and
| the. convention proceeded to business.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS.
| The first business in order was the cleo
| ton of the officers of the convention,
which resulted in the choice of W. E..
Shelton, President; VIM. J. Nelson, Per-
manent Secretary; K. B. Koiner, Treas
urer; q. F. Fry, Temporary Secretary, and
eight vice-presidents chosen from various
parts of the county and representing all
the Evangelical denomin ations.
sTAUNToN's MISREPRESENTATION.
According to the published programme,
each school in the county was entitled to
representation in the conven ton, by two
| delegates. I am sorry to say that whilst
goodly number of the County Sunday
Schools were we'll represented, VIM. j.
Nelson and ]. E. Guy Of the First Pres
byterian Church Sunday school of Staun-
ton, were the only delegates present from
! that city. This was greatly to be regretted
I because the city schools being naturally
and almost necessarily ia advance OF the
! in Of
ton and methods Of instruction, could.
through their delegates, have not only
added greatly to the interest of the
discussion, but could also have suggested
improvements much needed in some Of
the country schools.
THE TOPICS DISCUSSED.
The convention remained in session for
| two days. A number of interesting topics
prominent and important were-"Ihe
aim and reward Of the Sunday School
teacher" Relation Of Sunday Schools to
Mission work. Power of personal in
fuence in teaching "Use and abuse of
lesson helps and libraries" and "Infant
|
The discussions were participated in by
Revs. A. T. Laird, John H. Taylor, g. F.
Fry, Geo. L. Bitter. j G. S. Myers, E. D..
kindig. and Messrs. W. E. SHELTON, G.
Eakle, W. J. N elson, VIM. Ii. Norman,
Il. F. Whitmore, T. Weller, J. 3. Guy,
- Landes and K. B. Koiner.
uosprTArITv
During the sessions of the convention
the house was filed by large and appre-
ciative audience composed principally of
the members Of the congregation in whose
house it had met, and who, during the
midday recess, evidenced both their inter
est in the proceedings and their well
known hospitality by a bountitul repast
such as "makes glad the heart of man,
spread under the beautiful oaks.
To the writer, the whole occasion was
delightful. The words of the poet, "HoW
dear to my heart are the scenes of my child
hood" REQUIRED to him with peculiar
force-for here it was that the Sabbaths
of his youthful days had heen spent. Every
tree and stump ard jutting rock iii the
grand old grove was familiar as house.
hold Words" and though but here and
there gray head remained of the old con.
gregation to tell him of the host of friends
who had been gathered to their final rest
in the neighboring church yard; yet be
grasped the hand and renewed his friend
ship with many worthy son and daugh
tiers of honored sires in whose features hs
traced the lineaments of those dear ole
friends.
| THE CHOIR,